A Christian library, or, A pleasant and plentiful paradise of practical divinity in 37 treatises of sundry and select subjects ... / by R. Younge ...

Offer of Help to Drowning-Men.

Imprimatur,

THO. GATAKER

SEeing, and fore-seeing the sad effects of men's crying down Books, Learning, the Ministery, Sanctification, &c. if this their deep, and divellish design do meet with no stop: and seeing we should specially prepare for defence, where Satan specially prepares for offence. Considering also ••he numberlesse number of those that by professing themselves Protestants, discredit the Protestant Religion: Who because they have been Christened, as Simon Magus was, received the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper, like Iudas; and for company go to Church also as Dogs do, are called Christians, as we call the Heathen Images gods: yea, and (being blinded by the Prince of darknesse, 2 Cor. 4.4.) think to be saved by Christ, though they take up Arms against him; and are no more like Christians, then Michols Image of Goats hair was like David: Who make the world only their god, and pleasure or pro∣fit alone their Religion: Who are so gracelesse, that God is not in all their thoughts; except to blaspheme him, and to spend his daies in the Divel's service: Who be∣ing Christians in name, will scoffe at a Christian indeed: Who honour the dead Saints in a cold profession, while they worrey the living Saints in a cruel persecution: Who so hate Holiness, that they will hate a man for it; and say of good living, (as Festus of great Learning) It makes a man mad: whose hearts will rise at the ••ight

of a good man, as some stomachs will rise at the sight of sweet meats: Whose Re∣ligion is to oppose the power of Religion; and whose knowledge of the Truth, to know how to argue against the Truth: Who justifie the wicked, and condemne the ••ust: who call Zeal, madness; and Religion, foolishness: Who love their sins so much above their souls, that they will not onely mock their Admonisher, scoff at the means to be saved, and make themselves merry with their own damnations; but even hate one to the death, for shewing them the way to eternal life: who will condemne all for Round-heads, that have more Religion then an Heathen, or know∣ledg of heavenly things then a childe in the womb hath of the things of this life; or conscience then an Atheist, or care of his soul, then a Beast, and are mockers of all that march not under the pay of the Divel: Who with Adam, will become Satans bond-slaves for an Apple; and like Esau, sell their Birth-right of Grace here, and their Blessing of Glory hereafter for a messe of Pottage: Who prefer the plea∣sing of their palates before the saving of their souls: who have not onely cast off Religion, that should make them good men; but reason also, that should make them men: Who waste virtues faster then riches, and riches faster then any virtues can ••et them: Who do nothing else but sin, and make others sin too: who spend their time and patrimonies in Riot; and upon Dice, Drabs, Drunkennesse, who place all their felicity in a Tavern or Brothel house, where Harlots: and Sycophants rifle their Estates, and then send them to rob: Who will borrow of every one, but ne∣ver intend to satisfie any one: Who glory in their shame, and are ashamed of that which should and would be their glory: Who desire not the reputation of ho∣nesty, but of good fellowship: Who instead of quenching their thirst, drown their senses; and had rather leave their wits then the wine behinde them: Who place their paradise in their throats, heaven in their guts: and make their belly, their god: Who pour their Patrimonies down their throats, and throw the house so long out at windows, that at length their house throws them out of doors: Who think every one exorbitant that walks not after their rule: Who will traduce all whom they cannot seduce; even condemning with their tongues, what they commend in their consciences: Who, as they have no reason, so they will hear none: Who are not more blinde to their own faults, then quick-sighted in other mens: Who being displeased with others, will flie in their Makers face, and tear their Saviours Name in pieces with oaths and execrations, as being worse then any mad dog that flies in his Masters face that keeps him: Who swear and curse even ou•• of custome, as currs bark; yea, they have so sworn away all grace, thar they count it a grace to swear; and being reproved for swearing, they will swear that they swore not.

Or perhaps they are covetous Cormorants, greedy Gripers, miserly Muck-worms; all whose reaches are at riches: Who make gold their god, and commodity the stern of their consciences: Who hold every thing lawful, if it be gainful: Who prefer a little base pe••f before God, and their own salvations; and who being fa••ted with Gods blessings, do spurn at his precepts: Who like men sleeping in a boat, are carried down the stream of this World, until they arrive at their graves-end [Death] without once waking to bethink themselves whether they are a go∣ing [to Heaveu or Hell].

Or Ignorant and Formal Hypocrites: who do as they see others do, without ei∣ther conscience of sin, or guidance of reason: Who do what is morally good, more

for fear of the Law, then for love of the Gospel: Who fear the Magistrate more then they fear God or the Divel; regard more the blasts of men's breath, then the fire of God's wrath; will tremble more at ••••e thought of a Bayliffe, or a Prison▪ then of Satan, or Hell, and everlasting perdition: Who will say, they love God and Christ▪ yet hate all that any way resemble him; are slint unto God, wax to Satan; have their ears alwaies open to the Tempter, shut to their Maker and Re∣deemer; will chuse rather to disobey God, then displease great Ones; fear more the Worlds scorns, then His anger, and rather then abridge themselves of their pleasure, will incur the displeasure of God: Who will do what God forbids, yet confidently hope to escape what He threatens: Who will do the Divels works onely, and yet look for Christs wages; expect that Heaven will meet them at their last hour, when all their life long they have galloped in the beaten Road towards Hell: Who expect to have Christ their Redeemer and Advocate▪; when their con∣sciences tell them, that they seldom remember him, but to blaspheme him; and more often name him in their Oaths and Curses, then in their Praiers: Who will persecute Honest and Orthodox Christians; and say, they mean base and diss••••∣bling Hypocrites: Who think they do God service in killing his servants, Joh. 10.2. Who will boast of a strong faith, and yet fall short of the Divels in believing, Jam. 2.19. Who turn the grace of God into wantonness; as if a condemned person should head his Drum of Rebellion with his Pardon; resolving to be evil, because God is good: Who will not believe what is written, till they feel what is writ∣ten; and whom nothing will confute, but fire and brimstone: Who think their villainy is unseen, because it is unpunished; and therefore live like beasts, because they think they shall die like beasts.

Considering the swarms, Legions, Millions of these, I say, and many the like, which I cannot stand to repeat. As also in reference to Levit. 19.17. Isa. 58.1. And out of compassion to their pretious souls; there are above twenty several Books purposely composed, wherein are proper remedies (of the same alloy) for each soul seduced, or afflicted; to be had without any expence: which Books (like Glasses) will shew them (from Gods Word) the very faces of their hearts: And (like Peter to Cornelius, Acts 11.) tell them words whereby (with blessing from a∣bove) both they, and their Associates (by their means) may be saved. Vers. 1••.

And that they might the better recompence the Readers pains; whether he pro∣pound to himself pleasure or profit: they are (as many Revereud Divines deem) a brief Collection of the most winning and convincing Arguments out of the choi∣cest Authors; very pithily, orderly, and elegantly conveyed, and embellished▪ with much both variety of graceful and delightful illustration. Yea, if such as they concern, shall be pleased to make use of them; they may (with God's bles∣sing) not onely have their vice•• lessened, their knowledg increased, and their mindes cheered and comforted: but probably they shall finde in them the flower, cream, or quintessence, of what would otherwise cost them twenty years reading to extract.

It remains onely, that the Patients, for whom this Physick is proper, be pre∣vailed withall to take it. For although here is all necessary provision made, and the Guests lovingly invited, yet (of themselves) they will refuse to come, as in tha•• Parable of the Lords Supper, Luke 14.16. to 25. Because, as good meats are un∣welcome to sick persons; so is good counsel to obstinate sinners. Here is light, but

they love darkness rather then light; lest their deeds which are evil, should be repro∣ved. Onely they that do well, and love truth, will come to the light; that their deeds may be made manifest, John 3.19, 20, 21. Also many young novices in sin will entertain them as Lot did those Angels, that came to fetch him out of Sodom, Gen. 19. And probably some Parents and Masters will desire them, to prevent the spreading of these Gangrenes in their Children and Servants. But as for the parties principally concerned and invited, and that stand in the greatest need, and are most to be pitied; they will even storm at this very Offer of Help, and hiss like Serpents, because it troubles their Nests. Being like him, Luke 8.27, 28. who ha∣ving been possest with Divels a long time, was at length very loath to part with his Guests.

Indeed, if some, whose hearts God hath already changed, would put them in∣to their hands, and use their best Art to make them relished: (For like Babes, meat must not onely be given them, but prepared too, and put into their mouths). some return of good might happily come thereof. As weak means shall serve the turn, where God intends success. Even a word seasonably spoken (God blessing it) like a Rudder, somtimes steers a man quite into another Course▪ Antiockus by hear∣ing from a poor man, all the faults which he and his Favorites had committed▪ carried himself most virtuously ever after. Antoninus amended his future life and manners, by onely hearing what the people spake of him. The very crowing of a Cock occasioned Peters repentance. Augustine that famous Doctor, was converted by onely reading that Text, Rom. 13.13. Let us walk honestly, as in the day-time, &c. Learned Iunius, with reading the first Chapter of Saint Iohns Gospel, was won to the faith of Christ. And Melancthon mnch after the same manner. I have read of two famous Strumpets, that were suddenly converted by this onely Argument, That God seeth all things, even in the dark; when the doors are shut, and the curtains drawn. And Mountain tells of a libidinous Gentleman, that sporting with a Courtizan in a house of sin, happened to ask her name, which she said was Mary▪ whereat he was so stricken with reverence and remorse; that he instantly both cast off the Harlot, and amended his whole future life. Bilney's Confession con∣verted Latimer: yea, Adrianus was not onely converted, but became a Martyr too, by only hearing a Martyr at the Stake allege that text, Eye hath not seen, nor Ear heard, &c. 1 Cor. 2.9. Yea, it was an observation of M^r Iohn Lindsay, that the very smoke of M^r Hamilton converted as many as it blew upon. Yea, even those Iews that crucified the Son of God, were converted by hearing those few words of Peter, Act. 2. And it pleased God, when I, my self, was in as hopelesse a condi∣tion, as any of those Sensualists before-mentioned; (I mean, as much fore-stalled with prejudice against Religion, and the Religious) that a poor man's perswading me to leave reading of Poetrie, and fall upon the Bible, was a means of changing my heart, before I had read out Genesis, being but twenty years of age: Whom I more bless God for, then for my Parents from whom I received life. And this (because I know no better way to express my thankfulness to him, who hath free∣••d me from frying in Hell-flames for ever and ever, then by endeavouring to win others from Satans Standart to Christs) makes me do the like to others. For I seldom hear any one swear or scoff, or see any drunk, or the like, but I present them with one of these fore-mentioned Messages, from that God, whom they so daringly and audasiously provoke. Nor do I alwaies miss the mark at which I aim,

And I tell it you, because many discreet ones are apt to wonder, that I so make my self a scorn and gazing stock to fools: Though I shall never think it a shame to me, which was the onely glory of him, that was a man after God's own heart, as you may very often hear him profess, as in Psalm 50 15. & 71.17, 18, 19, 24. & 51. 14. & 119.171. & 22.22. & 35.18. and many the like; see Luke 8.38, 39.

I also mention it, that I may (if possible in this covetous, cold and dull Age) p••ovoke others to do the same; or at least somthing for the saving of these poor, ignorant, and impotent wretches; that are neither able nor willing to help them∣selves. Though as one would think, (for I speak to enlightned souls) they should not need spurring, nor prompting to this Duty: For what heart would it not make to bleed, that hath any Christian blood in his veins, to see what multitudes there are, that go blinde-fold to destruction; And no man offer to stop or check them before they arrive there, from whence there is no Redem∣ption. Math. 7.13, 14. 1 Ioh. 5.19. Rev. 20.8. & 13.16. Isa. 10.22. Ro∣man. 9.27. 2 Tim. 2.26. 2 Cor. 4.4. Eph. 2.1, to 4. Phil. 3.18. Ioh. 8.44. & 14.30.

Yea, how should it not make all, that are themselves got out of Satan's clutches▪ plot, study,, and contrive all they can; to draw others of their brethten after them.

We read that Andrew was no sooner converted, and become Christ's Disciple; but instantly he drew others after him to the same Faith, Iohn 1.41. and the like of Philip, ver. 45. and of the woman of Samaria, Iohn 4.28, to 41. And of Peter, Luke 22.32. Acts 2.41. and 3 Chap. and 4.4. And so of all the Apostles. Yea, Moses so thirsted after the salvation of Israel, that rather then he would be saved without them, he desired the Lord to blot him out of the Book of life, Exod. 32.32. And Paul to this purpose saith, I could wish my self to be separated from Christ, for my brethren; that are my kinsmen according to the flesh: meaning the Iews, Rom. 9.3. And indeed, all heavenly hearts are charitable. Neither are we of the Communion of Saints, if we desire not the blessednesse of others: it being an inseparable adjunct, or relative to grace; for none but a Cain will say, Am I my brother's keeper? Yea, where the heart is thankful, and inflamed with the•• love of God, and onr neighbour, this will be the principal aim▪ As by my sins, and had example, I have drawn others from God, so now I will, all I can, draw others with my self to God. Saul converted, will build up as fast as ever he plucked down, and preach as zealously as ever he persecuted. And we are no whit thankful for our own salvation, if we do not look with charitie and pitie upon the gross mis-opinious and misprisions of our Brethren. And what though we cannot do what we would? yet we mnst labour to do what we can to win o∣thers; not to merit by it, but to express our thanks. Besides, it were very dishonorable to Christ not to do so. Did you ever know that wicked men; Thievs, Drunkards, Adulterers, Persecuters, false Prophets, or the like, would be damned alone? no, they mis-lead all they can, as desiring to have companions. Yea. the Pharisees would take great pains, compass sea and land, to make others two-fold more the children of hell then themselvs, as our Saviour expresly witnesseth, Mat. 23.15. which may cast a blush upon our cheeks, who are nothing so industrious to win souls to God. And what a shame is it! that our God should not have as faithful servants, as he hath unfaithful enemies: That wicked men should be at more cost and and pains to please an ill master, then we can afford to please so good a God, so gracious, and so loving a Father? Shall they labour so hard, for 〈…〉〈…〉 will but inhance their damnation? and shall we think any pains too

much for that, which will add to the weight of our eternal glory and salvation.

And what though their case be not onely desperate, but almost hopeless? (as in reason, that sin is past cure, which strives against the cure: nor would these drown∣ing men refuse help, were they no•• wilful murtherers of their own souls) yet there is a mercie due even to them: And it is our duty to use the means: leaving the issue to him who is able to quieken the dead, and to make even of stones children to Abraham? Witness Manasses in the Old Testament, and Paul in the New. Yea, I suppose, that this their sad condition, calls for our more then ordinarie compassion. Since they have precious souls, that must everlastingly live, in bliss, or wo. And hence it is, that the Angels are said to rejoice more at the conversion of such a sin∣ner, then for the building up of ninety and nine that are already converted, Luk. 15.7 because he to whom God hath given a new heart, and spiritual life, will be sure to seek out for, and use the means of growing in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Iesus Christ. Whereas the former, are not onely dead in sin; but so buried in the grave of long custome, that they cannot stir the least joint; no, not so much as feel their deadness, nor desire life; but resist all means tending there∣unto. Insomuch, that the conversion of such an one is held by Divines a greater work, or Miracle, then the creating of the whole World: For in every New Crea∣ture are a number of Miracles; A blinde man is restored to sight: A deaf man to hear∣ing, A man possest with many Divels, dif-possest; Yea, A dead man raised from the dead; and in every one a stone turned into flesh: in all which God meets with no∣thing but opposition, which in the Creation he met not with.

Wherefore you, that (by calling to mind your own former blindness, and bon∣dage) are able to know how it fares with them; and accordingly to pity them: you that fear God, or have any bowels of compassion towards their precious souls; use your utmost indeavour to reduce them; earnestly admonish them; draw them to hear some Bo••nerges, that preaches with power and authority, and not as the Scribes: Perswade them also to read Books that are convincing, &c. So shall you discharge your Duty to God, shew your love to them, your thankfulness to your Redeemer; and not a little pleasure your selves. For if you do gain them, you shall shine as the stars in Heaven, for ever and ever, Dan. 12.3. Or in case you cannot reclaim them▪ yet he who requires it at your hands, Wil return the same into your own bosomes, Isai 49.4, 5. Prov. 11.18. and 25.22.

But I were as good knock at a deaf mans door, as press or perswade the most to this duty, though thus necessary: for those two Idols, Discretion & cursed Covetousness; beare a greater sway with the common Prosessors of this Age; then either their Ma∣ker or Redeemer: Though confident I am, others will do more then Isay, Phile. 21.

Melancthon having found the Word, most easily to prevail with him; doubted not but his Preaching should do wonders upon otheps: but having tried, he found and confest, That old Adam, was too strong for young Melancthon.

Many Lepers were in Israel, in the time of Elizeus the Prophet: but none of them was cleansed, saving Naaman the Syrian, Luke 4.22 to 29.

Many are called, but few are chosen, Matth. 22.14.

FINIS.

Printed by I. Bell, and are to be sold by Iames Crumpe, in Little Bartholomew Well-yard, who will also shew the other Books, and tell the place where, 〈…〉〈…〉

Of these Enchiridions, a Repenting Prodigal, (upon occasion of his late return) thinks him∣self bound, to give ten thousand for others good; and takes it for an incomparable favour, that it came into his heart so to do. Yielding a threefold reason thereof. First, because it is probable, that that Medecine which hath cured one desperate Patient; if it be commu∣nicated, may work the same effect upon others; and that those thoughts, which our experience hath found comfortable, and useful to our selves: should (with neglect of all censures) be communicated to others. Secondly, because the retribution of his obedience, may in some pro∣portion, answer his offence; as was that of Pauls, who as he had done more evil to the Saints, then all the rest of the Apostles: so he laboured more then they all, in adding to the Church such as should be saved, 1 Cor. 15.10. Act. 9.16. Thirdly, for that as exemplary offendors, leave their inventions and evil practises to posterity; whereby they cease not to sin, though they cease to live, (for when dead they are still tempting, and still sin so long as they cause sin; yea how should not every Turke that perisheth by Mahomets jugling, add to the pil•• of his unspeakable horrors?) So if we sow good works, succession shall reap them; and we shall be happy in making others so.